dieselpower Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 I have got a few projects on the go and a few options before me, so, to help me decide which route to take I would like to know if it is practical to put a slow beat 2846 ETA movement inside a gen 5500 case with a view to creating a 1016 Explorer also, using a rep dial? Hope this question makes sense and that it is indeed plausible. Thanks for any advices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phelps22 Posted February 18, 2013 Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 I don't see why a 2846 wouldn't work but a 5500 case is smaller than a 1016 case. 5500 explorer is 34 mm and 1016 is 36 mm in diameter and I believe a 5500 dial is smaller as well 27 mm vs. 28 mm but I could be mistaken on that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted February 18, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 18, 2013 Thanks for the info. back to the drawing board! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhorn Posted February 19, 2013 Report Share Posted February 19, 2013 You could do the 5500 Explorer or an Air-King. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted February 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 @ tomhorn, thanks for that idea I've looked at photos of the 5500 explorer and me likey. Any recommendations as to where I might source a dial and hands? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lhooq Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Yuki used to sell a very nice 5500 Explorer dial. Unfortunately, all of their current dials look terrible. Also unfortunately, I'm not sure who carries a better one. NDTrading has a $280 dial that is not only expensive, but isn't very convincing, either. And I don't believe I've ever spotted a gen 5500 Explorer dial in the wild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted February 20, 2013 Report Share Posted February 20, 2013 Here's a 5500 Gilt I put together from a bunch of left over parts. Ended up gifting it to Lanikai... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 Make one. The vintage dials are, in my opinion, perfect for the water-slide decal. The finish gives a 'patina' that you can control using the clear-coat spray paint. All it takes is a bit of work using your photo shop type program, and some practice applying a decal. It is a bit more difficult with a date window, but the 5500 doesn't have one. The only problem is the lume, and even that can be done decently with some practice. The decal paper for ink-jet can be found at most hobby stores. I buy mine at Hobby Lobby for about $12 and then using the 40% off coupon printed on-line, so a little over $7.00 for the equivalent of 3 8.5 X 11 sheets. Your choice of clear or white, as inkjet does not print white. I use clear and allow the color of the dial (plain brass, white, creme, etc.) to be part of the finished dial. I use a decal setting solution called 'Micro Set' that aids in adhesion and forms the decal to the surface it's applied to, hobby shop about $3.50. I use Krylon Crystal Clear, comes in gloss, satin or flat, about $3.50 at Walmart. For the 5500 any old dial with no window will do, turn it to size using a drill bit as an axle and spin it on your bench grinder. You can print at least 108 dials with just $15 spent plus your ink. Otto Frei has blank dials for $4 if you need. I use a water-based acrylic 'glow paint' for lume, similar to what Rolexaddict uses on his luming. It gives that grainy look of tritium, can be colored or tinted using kid's water paint. I use a nib, but you can use anything to apply, from a toothpick to an oiler to whatever you are comfortable with. And if you screw it up, just wipe it off with a moist tissue, and do over. Yes, it takes practice, as everything in life does. But I think the rewards are great. Not just the money, but the accomplishment. Essentially find a good, round pic on the internet. Use your photo program to make it perfectly round, right size, and copy and paste the logo, lettering, markers, numbers - whatever - on it. Tweak and adjust as you like. Print and seal and apply. I made this one for another member, similar to the 5500 doing just that. I had never even heard of a "Commando". But what I'd do is download this pic, it's big for more resolution, use the paint tool to cover the name, and using the cropping tool copy and paste from a 5500 picture onto this. Position, play a bit, and done. The worst than can happen is that you don't like the result and you're out a little time and maybe $25 max. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomhorn Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 Here's a 5500 Gilt I put together from a bunch of left over parts. Ended up gifting it to Lanikai... That's just not fair .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubiquitous Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 The ironic thing is, that little 34mm 5500 is probably teeny tiny on Lani's wrist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted February 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 Much thanks to JoeyB for taking the time to explain the 'home made' process. Given that I am stubbornly entering middle age with a refusal to admit that I need reading glasses - and I do need reading glasses - I don't think I could paint a barn door accurately, also I've never used photoshop in my life - don't even have it on my computer not to mention the fact that a full time job, wife and two young kids leave precious little 'me time' I can't see me going down that route anytime soon. But you never know and the tutorial is genuinely appreciated. On reflection I'm quite good with my hands and have always made stuff but it's the teeny-ness and accuracy involved that puts me off, I'm more used to 3 metre lengths of 4"x 2"where a milimetre here or there doesn't really matter, can't quite say the same of a watch dial. I'm almost tempted to give it a go and show you lot the results just to give you a laugh. I bet I'd be able to hear JoeyB's howling from my living room after all there's only the Atlantic ocean separating us! @ ubi - the double irony is that I've got teeny tiny wrists. Humph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 I might laugh with you, but not at you. Come April I will be celebrating the 33rd anniversary of my 29th birthday. I have reading glasses in every room I venture, two in the car, and the reason I sold my Breitling Navitimer World GMT is the same reason I don't own any Daytonas. I can't read `em even with my readers. But I can see with a loupe! The first dial I made was for my 6542 that is in my signature. I'd bet that has had at least 10 decals. As I learn, I improve and then I get the urge to make it better. My 6204 came out good the 1st time and has been in service for over two years now. It has actually aged and gotten better. And I like to have something not readily available, like my 1675 Cornino with the exclamation point dial. Next is a 6542 exclamation point dial. After all, it's just a dot in photo shop! If you decide to try, it's only a few bucks, and I'd be happy to advise if I can help. Oh, and the benefits are well worth the effort when you make a ladies watch with her initials on the dial for birthday or anniversary! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieselpower Posted February 21, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 Sounds like we're all going to become big fans of Panerai's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lo' Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 JoeyB: I hope you meant the 3rd anniversary. If not then i want a copy of your fitness schedule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyB Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 33rd is correct. 38 years military, but I'm fat and sassy now! Lots of sex. That was the 'cure-all' in high school and still works for me. And it works even when you're alone, so I'm told... The nice thing is that women have the same eyesight problems, so they get the same surprises in the bright sunlight as I do. And modern tech. When I was younger I thought I'd need to save some of my retirement money in order to travel to Africa to buy Black Rhino Horn powder. Then came the internet, and you could order it online, have it shipped! Now they have Viagra at the corner Walgreens, so the big game hunting is back where it should be - in the bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ephry73 Posted February 21, 2013 Report Share Posted February 21, 2013 What? Loo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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